Obituary: MARY GODFREY BURGESS
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Mary Ben Godfrey Burgess died at home on November 12, 2023 after a season of declining health; she passed away peacefully with her family as she had longed to do. She is rejoicing now with her Lord, celebrating her new body and joining beloved family in heaven.
A Memorial Service will be held at Colonial Funeral Home in Madison, NC at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 18th. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. in the chapel.
Born on October 19, 1935 in Waxhaw, NC to Dora Phiffer Godfrey and David Crayton Godfrey, Mary was the sixth of eight children. She grew up in Waxhaw and Mineral Springs, NC with lots of siblings, cousins, and friends around. She loved reading and flowers, and singing alto in the Methodist church choir.She spent her working life at Belks in Charlotte, NC and in various hospital business offices. She worked at Rex Hospital in Raleigh for thirty years!
She was a dear daughter, sister, momma, nana, great nana, and aunt to her family, and a loyal friend to many. She was a tireless “church worker” for many years, serving congregations in Charlotte, Lumberton, and Raleigh; her church friends were an extension of her family and she loved them all dearly. She served diligently as a children’s choir worker, Sunday School teacher, mission volunteer, and Circle leader; she set for us a wonderful example of serving others.
In her later years, Mary enjoyed watching the birds outside her window, reading “as long as I want to”, and tending her Christmas cactus–which bloomed early this year, just for her! “Red Birds” will always remind her family of her delight in monitoring her bird feeder, and her love of reading has been passed down to her children and grandchildren.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, David Crayton Godfrey and Dora Phiffer Godfrey; older brother, William Godfrey; older sisters Gladys Walkup, Davey Lynn Helms, Emmy Lou Haywood, and Jean Gordon; and beloved nephews Gary Underwood and David Crabtree. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Burgess Bailey (David), and Michelle Burgess Blackwell (John); granddaughters Stephanie Bailey Meter (Gabriel) and Sarah Bailey Elliott (James); great grandson Gideon Daniel Elliott; sisters Peggy Crabtree and Jackie Tucker; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
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